Safety razor



T. P. JONES SAFETY RAZOR Aug. 22, 1933.

Filed Aug. 19, 1931 IL- IIL Patented Aug. 22, 1933 PATENT" OFFICE SAFETY RAZOR Thomas Pattullo Jones, Johannesburg,

Transvaal, Union of South Africa Application'August 19, 1931. Serial No. 558,068 '9 Claims. (01. 30-42) This invention relates to safety razors of the kind which comprises or includes a handle portion, a detachable blade, and blade holding elements detachably or permanently connected to the handle.

Safety razors of the kind referred to are designed to receive or carry a single blade with either one or two cutting edges and, unless reversed, only shave or cut the hair when moving in one direction, so that during the movement in the reverse or return direction the razor is inoperative or has no cutting effect. 7

The principal object or" my present'invention is so to design and construct a safety razor that a cutting action will be obtained when the razor is moved in both directions, so that in effect there is no lost motion in the action of moving the razor backwards and forwards.

Other features of the invention appertain to the construction of a resilient or spring-grip handle, means for securing the razor blades in position on the blade holding elements, means for adjusting the cutting angle or inclination of the blades, the blades and blade holding elements including the blade carriers and the caps or means for securing the blades in position on the carriers, and means which serve forconnecting the blade holding elements or blade carriers to the handle.

According to the invention the safety razor in cludes one or two pairs of the blade carriers, which are oppositely inclined so that the cutting edges of the blades carried thereby, when in operative position, lie opposite each other on the same side of the frame or part to'which the carriers are attached. The carriers may beconstructed integral with or be otherwise rigidly attached to the frame or part, or be hingedly or pivotally attached thereto in order that the angle or inclination of the carriers relative to the frame or part can be altered or varied as de sired.

The carriers are constructed with means for retaining the blade in operative position thereon, which includes the provision of tongues or projections formed on the blade so as to project into a hole or opening'provided therein, which tongues are caused to engage in correspondingly positioned cavities or recesses in the blade carrier. The cap or clamping member which serves to secure the blade in position on the carrier may be shaped so that when in position it projects through the hole or opening in the blade and enters a depression in the carrier, and forces the tongues on the blade into the cavities or recesses in the carrier. Thecap or clamping member is adapted to be secured on the carrier to clamp the blade in position by means slidably and pivotally attached to the cap or clamping member I at one end and adapted to engage at the other 0 end with a projection formed thereon, which pro- 'ection extends through a hole formed through the carrier. The carrier along the edge in front of the blade is constructed to carry a pin-or rod which extends longitudinally and has rotatably 5 mounted on it a row of beads or appropriately shaped bodies which are in contact at the sides and operate as guards or protectors adjacent to the cutting edge of the blade.

The means for adjusting or varying the angle or inclination of the blades may, for example, comprise a spindle, journalled in the frame for the carriers, and having right and left-hand threads, nuts adapted to traverse the screw, and links connecting the nuts with the carriers. Alternatively the adjusting means may include a rubber or other resilient piece or pad attached to and operated by a screw which engageswith stationary brackets or pieces attached to the carriers.

The frame to which the blade carriers are hingedly attached may be pivotally mounted in a bridle or bale to which the handle is connected, and spring means be provided 'for retaining the frame in its operative position therein. admits of the reversal end for end of the frame relative to the handle in order to reverse the opposing pairs of blades.

The resilient grip handle may be split or divided for a suitable portion of its length and 90 7 one or more coiled springs be arranged between the halves, and means be provided for retaining the halves in any one of a number of positions to vary the resiliency afforded in the handle by said springs.

The various features of the invention will now be more fully explained with the aid of the accompanying sheet of drawing, wherein the figures are drawn larger than the full size the 1 more clearly to elucidate the details. In the drawing,

Fig. l is a part-sectional elevation of one e'mbodiment of the invention, adapted to receive two pairs of the opposing oppositely inclined razor 5 blades.

Fig. 2 is a part-sectional plan of Fig. 1, thev plane of the portion in section being indicated by the dotted line 'r':c.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of another embodiment 110 This of the. invention, adapted to receive one pair of the opposing oppositely inclined razor blades.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of one of the carriers of the constructions shown in Figs. 1 to 3, detached.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the blade detached.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the cap or clamping member detached.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a central longitudinal sectional elevation of one of the carriers, with the blade clamped in operative position thereon by the cap or clamping member, and drawn to a still larger scale.

Fig. 10 is an elevation of another embodiment of the invention in which one pair of the carriers is shown constructed integral with the frame, and

Fig. 11 is an elevation of the handle shown in Fig. 10, as seen at right angles thereto.

Referring more particularly to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 4 to 9, the numeral 1 denotes the handle, the details of construction of which are hereinafter described. The handle 1 is constructed at the inner end with an internal screw-thread into which is screwed a correspondingly threaded projection 2 formed on a substantially U-shaped bale or bridle 3. 4 is the carrier frame, shown of rectangular shape in cross-section, which is pivotally mounted in the bale or bridle 3 on the pivots 5. The frame 4 is adapted to be rotated in the bridle 3 in order to reverse or change the frame end for end relative to the handle 1. 6 are spring pieces, rivetted at one end to the outer sides of the ends of the bridle 3, which carry pins or projections 7 adapted to engage in holes 3 in the frame 4 to retain the latter in either of its two operative positions, in one of which it is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing. The spring pieces 6 may, as shown, be provided with knobs 9 for withdrawing the locking pins 7 from the holes 8 in order to reverse the frame 4.

10, 11, 12, 13, represent the four blade-holding elements, the two opposing oppositely inclined elements 10, 11, being pivotally attached'to the frame 4 at one side thereof, and the other pair 12, 13, being pivotally attached at the other side. Each of the blade-holding elements includes the carrier 14see Figs. 4 and 5-, and the cap or clamping member 15-see Figs. 7 and 8be tween which is arranged and secured the razor blade 16-see Fig. 6. For the purpose of hingedly attaching the blade-holding elements 10, 11, 12, 13, to the frame 4, the latter is constructed at the corners at both sides with lugs or projections 17 in which are arranged hinge pins 18, on which the carriers 14 are mounted, the carriers 14 being constructed along one edge, at 19, to receive the hinge pins 18.

As the construction of all the blade-holding elements 10, 11, 12, 13, is identical, it will suffice to describe one of them. As shown more particularly in Figs. 4 and 5, each carrier 14 is constructed with a central longitudinal depression 20, in the ends of which are formed slightly deeper depressions 21. Centrally of the depression 20 a square hole 22 is formed, and on the underside of the carrier 14 two guides 23 are provided. 24 represents two projections formed on the underside of the carrier 14 by cutting and bending down portions of the plate of the carrier. 25 represents small projections formed at the side of the depression 20, which serve for positioning or centering the blade 16 when placed in position on the carrier 14. 26 are lugs or projections formed at the ends of the outer edge of the carrier for the purpose of carrying a pin or rod 2''! on which is mounted a row of suitably shaped rotatable bodies or beads 28 of any suitable material. These beads or bodies 28 are placed close together and serve as a guard to the cutting edge of the blade 16 when in use, whilst allowing of the escape or free passage of soap and hair away from the cutting edge. 29 is a small shallow recess formed in the depression 20 at one side to allow of the finger nail or other means being inserted for lifting the razor blade 16 off the carrier 14 in order to renew or reverse the blade.

As shown in Fig. 6, the razor blade 16 is fashioned with two longitudinal bevelled cutting edges, and with a central longitudinal hole or opening 30 which is the same width as the depression 20 in the carrier 14 and similarly rounded or curved at the ends. At the curved ends the blade 16 is fashioned with two oppositely directed tongues 31 which, when the blade 16 is in position on the carrier, are adapted to be forced into the deeper depressions 21 at the ends of the depression 20 in the carrier 14.

As shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the cap or clamping member 15 is shaped to provide on the underside a projecting part 32 of the same shape and dimensions as the depression 20 in the carrier 14, into which it fits. 33 is a projection formed on the underside of the cap 15, which, when the cap 15 is in the clamping position, extends through the hole 22 in the carrier 14. The cap 15, at the one end, is fashioned with a downwardly extending projection 34 which carries a pin 35 on which slides one end of a locking bar 36. The bar 36 is adapted to engage in a hole in the projection 33, at the underside of the carrier 14. As shown in Fig. 9, when the razor blade 16 is secured or clamped in position by the cap 15, the projecting part 32 extends through the hole 30 in the blade 16, into the depression 20 in the carrier 14, and engages the tongues 31 and forces them into the deeper depressions 21 in the carrier 14. The engagement of the tongues 31 in the depressions 21, aided by the centering pins 25, operates to centre and secure the blade 16 in operative position on the carrier 14. The lugs or projections 26 are shaped at the back so as to form upstanding projections 3'7 which serve the dual purpose of aiding the positioning of the blade 16 on the carrier 14 and acting as guards to prevent the corners or ends of the cutting edge of the blade 16 from cutting the user 1 of the razor.

In order to facilitatethe removal of the blade 16 and to preventthe cap 15 from becoming disconnected from the carrier 14, the cap 15 is adapted to hinge about the pin 35 to raise it off the blade. During the hinging movement the locking bar 36, by engaging in the guides 23, will remain attached to the carrier 14. 38 is a slight recess in the end of the cap 15 for insertion of the finger nail to lift the free end of the cap 15 off the blade 16 after the locking bar 36 is disengaged from the projection 33.

The means for adjusting the angularity of the carriers 14 and the blades 16 relative to the frame 4 includes a spindle 39 journalled in the ends of the frame 4 and having right and left-hand screw-threaded portions 40, 41, respectively; 42 being a milled head on the spindle 39 for rotating it. 43, 44, are two nuts arranged on the right and left-hand screw-threaded portions 40,- 41, respectively of the spindle 39, and adapted to be of the handle 1.

1,923,678 moved on the same by the rotation of the latter.

The nuts 43, 44, slide ontwo guide rods 45 ;46, which are fixed in the ends of the frame 4 parallel to the spindle 39. The nuts a3, 44, are each connected to two of the carriers 14 at opposite sides of the frai by means of the links 47, so that the one nut 43 when traversed along the screwed portion 40 adjusts the angularity of the blade-holding elements ii and 13, while the other nut on the screwed portion 41 simultaneously and equally adjusts the angularity of the bladeholding elements lo, 12. Two of the links 47 are pivotally attached to each end of each nut, and one of them is attached to the lug 24 at one end one carrier and the other to lug 24 at the pending end of the other carrier operated same nut. The adjusting means ensures *ularity of each of the opposing oppositely co-operating pair of blades being mainsame in all adjusted positions.

In this embodiment of the invention a resilient or spring-grip handle 1 is shown. The handle l is of hollow construction and split longitudi- .lly into two equal parts, between which parts re ar ositioned the springs 48; 49 being cenre .ining pins provided in the halves i for said springs 48. The halves l are provided with circumferenany one of which aring 51 is placed to hold the portions of the "ether the pressure of the I s 4-8 to obt in any desired degree of resil- -.-andl 1 is shown fully expanded,

with the ring 51 inoperative and placed round the front end of the handle. It is to be understood that any suitable form of rigid handle could be used in place of the resilient handle shown and described, and that the handle may be either permanently or detachably connected to the bale or bridle 3.

In the modified construction of the invention illustrated in Fig. 3, in which one pair of the opposing oppositely inclined blade-holding elements is provided, and in which a rubber or other suitable resilient pad 52 is used for resiliently maintaining the carriers 14 at any desired angle of adjustment, the pad 52 is secured to the one screwthreaded end of an elbow piece 53. The bladeholding elements are hingedly attached to a base plate 54 which is fashioned with a boss 55 adapted to be screwed in either direction on to the threaded outer end of the elbow piece 53 in order to adjust th angularity of the blade-holding elements. The outer threaded end of piece 53 is pro ivided with a groove 56, with which a set-screw 57, screwed through the boss 55, is adapted to engage in order to secure the plate 54 in any desired adjusted position. The other threaded end of the elbow piece 53 is screwed into the inner end Sn the back of each of the carriers 14 there is provided a -Ushaped piece or bracket 58 in which engages the pad 52, so that any movement of the plate 54 on the threaded outer end of the elbow piece 53 moves both of the Iblade-holding elements through the same angle in the operation of adjusting the same, and so maintains the cutting edges of the blades in correct relative position after adjustment. In this construction the handle 1 is shown made of tapered external shape, and with the ring 51 in the outer circumferential recess 50 formed around the halves thereof.

In the further form of the invention shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the blade carriers l l are shown fashioned integral with the base plate 59, and are oppositely inclined to each other at a suitable fixed angle. The carriers 14 in this construction will be the same or substantially the same as in the other embodiments, with the exception that they are not hinged at their inner ends. The carriers may, however, if desired, in order to allow of a limited amount of additional resiliency, be grooved longitudinally, as indicated at 60,, for the whole or any suitable portion of their length. The handle 1 in this construction is placed at right angles to the base plate 59, and is of a shape adapted to be gripped between the fingers and thumb, for which purpose it may have recesses 61 formed in it at both sides. The handle 1 may, as shown be detachably connected to the base plate 59 by providing the latter with a screw threaded projection 62 to screw into a correspondingly threaded hole 63 in the handle 1. For the sake of clearness the razor blades and clamping caps are omitted in Fig. 10.

It will be apparent that when the razor is in use a cutting action is obtained by one or other of the blades when the razor is moved backwards and forwards the opposing blades operating alternately to shave and slip over the face.

The following advantages, amongst others, accrue to the invention viz. :the razor can be used more times than existing razors without renewing the blades; and the shaving can be done much more quickly and satisfactorily. If desired the slipping blade and its holding means may be used to keep the skin more or less taut for some distance in front of the cutting blade.

What I claim as my invention and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A safety razor comprising a plurality of blade-holding elements, a razor blade arranged in each of said elements so that said blades are oppositely inclined and have their operative cutting edges opposed to each other and means for angularly adjusting the blades relative to each other, as set forth.

2. In a safety razor, blade-holding means including a base portion, oppositely inclined carriers hinged to said base portion, blades in said carriers arranged with their cutting edges opposite each other, means for positioning and securing the blades in said carriers, and means for angularly adjusting and supporting the carriers, V

as set forth.

3. In a safety razor, in combination, a frame, a pair of blade-holding elements hingedly attached to said frame one at either end thereof, a razor blade carried by each element, the one blade being oppositely inclined relative to the other and the cutting edges being opposed, and means for simultaneously varying the inclination of the blade-holding elements including a right and left-hand screw-threaded spindle, nuts which traverse said spindle, and links connecting the nuts with the respective blade-holding elements, as set forth.

4. In a safety razor, in combination, a frame, a pair of blade-holding elements hingedly attached to said frame at each side and either end thereof, a razor blade carried by each element, the one blade at each side of the frame being oppositely inclined relative to the other blade at the same side of the frame and the cutting edges being opposed, and means for simultaneously varying the inclination of the blade-holding elements, as set forth.

5. In a safety razor, in combination, a frame, a pair of blade-holding elements hingedly attached to said frame at each side and either end thereof, a razor blade carried by each element, the one blade at each side of the frame being oppositely inclined relative to the other blade at the same side of the frame and the cutting edges being opposed, and means for simultaneously varying the inclination of the blade-holding elements including a right and left-hand screw-threaded spindle, nuts which traverse said spindle, and links connecting the nuts with the respective blade-holding elements, as set forth.

6. In a safety razor, in combination, a base portion, a bridle in which said base portion is pivotally mounted so that it can be reversed, means for retaining the base portion in either of its positions in the bridle, a handle attached to the bridle, oppositely inclined carriers on the base portion, blades in said carriers arranged with their cutting edges opposite each other, and means for positioning and securing the blades in said carriers, as set forth.

7. A safety razor comprising a plurality of blade-holding elements, and a razor blade arranged in each of said elements so that they are oppositely inclined and have their cutting edges opposed to each other, said blade-holding elements each comprising a carrier, a clamping cap, and means for securing the cap in position on the carrier, the carrier being fashioned with a central longitudinal depression and with deeper depressions at the ends thereof, the razor blade being constructed with an opening at the centre corresponding in shape to the depression in the carrier, and with tongues which project into said opening and are adapted to be pressed into the deeper recesses in the carrier, and the clamping cap being fashioned with a projecting portion to pass through the opening in the blade into the depression in the carrier and force the tongues on the blade into the deeper depressions in the carrier, as set forth.

8. In a safety razor, blade holding means including a base portion, oppositely inclined carriers hinged to said base portion, blades in said carriers arranged with their cutting edges opposite each other, means for positioning and securing the blades in said carriers, and means for angularly adjusting and supporting the carriers including a resilient pad which engages with the carriers and is adjustable relative to the base portion, as set forth.

9. In a safety razor, blade-holding means including a base portion, oppositely inclined carriers hinged to said base portion, blades in said carriers arranged with their cutting edges opposite each other, means for positioning and securing the blades in said carriers, means for angularly adjusting and supporting the carriers, a handle attached to said base portion and constructed in two longitudinal parts, helical spring means positioned transversely between the parts of the handle to form a spring-grip handle, said handle being constructed with a plurality of circumferential recesses in the parts thereof, and a ring adapted to engage in any one of said recesses to vary the resiliency of the handle, as set forth.

THOMAS PATTULLO JONES. 

